This article analyzes the formation of the Metropolitan of Kyiv Vladimir (Bogoyavlenskyj) (1915–1918) — his childhood, education in the Tambov Theological Seminary and the Kyiv Theological Academy. Particular attention is paid to the influence of teachers on the future Metropolitan in his formation for his pastoral capabilities and public speaking skills. The origins of the philosophy of the hierarch on a personal level at a turning era are clarified. Vasyl Bogoyavlenskiy perceived the displays of the Ukrainian spirit as «local colour», and Ukrainian language — as a dialect of Russian. The Ukrainian national question did not brush against him from the personal persuasions. Returningon to his small motherland for him meant returning to an usual organic environment, where his liking for all Russian yet more got strong. A metropolitan Volodymyr negatively perceived national question in regions, where it was sharp — Georgia and pre-revolucion Ukraine.Keywords: Kyiv, Metropolitan, personality, personal level.